Commuting Costs

Since gas prices have gone all Europey on us, I thought it might be fun to calculate my commuting costs. Every workday, I commute from a town outside of DC into the heart of the Federal Triangle, a total distance of 31 miles. I take the County bus to the DC Metro and take the Metro into work. I get a transportation subsidy from the government and buy a weekly pass for the Metro.

First, let’s calculate the base costs for comparison by assuming I drive to the Metro, rather than take the bus. (There’s no way I’m driving all the way into work, ever, so that’s a non-starter.) I will assume no wear and tear on the car because I can’t quantify it, and I won’t include any passes or transit subsidy.

Car to Metro, round trip, one gallon of gas - $4.20
Parking at Metro lot - $4.75
Metro fare, round trip - $8.50

Total:

• $17.45 per day
• $87.25 per week
• $389 per month
• $4668 per year.
  

Ouch. Fortunately, I reduce this cost by taking the bus and using bus and Metro passes.

Bus to Metro, round trip - $1.35
Metro fare, round trip - $7.80

Total:

• $9.15 per day
• $45.75 per week
• $183 per month
• $2196 per year
  

Total Savings: $2472 per year.

Additionally, one of my work benefits is a monthly $115 Metrochek which I can use to pay for Metro.

So, my final actual commuting cost is:

• $68 per month
• $816 per year.
  

That’s not bad at all.